2013 World Ice Fishing Championship

The hard-water fishing season finally opened in time for the holidays across the ice belt. As the ice continues to build, so is the excitement and anticipation for the 10th World Ice Fishing Championship (WIFC X). The United States Freshwater Fishing Federation (USF3) and City of Wausau will be hosting the WIFC X at the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir on February 11-17, 2013.

The US Ice Team, the 2010 WIFC winner, will be competing against 11 international teams from Estonia, Finland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Belarus (2012 WIFC winner), Lithuania, Poland, Russia (2008-09 WIFC winner) Sweden, Ukraine (2011 WIFC winner) and Mongolia. Mongolia will be competing for the first time in their country's history!

The international contingent of anglers will bring top expertise, cutting-edge ice fishing techniques, baits and gear to the championship. The public is encouraged to come and learn from some of the best ice anglers on the planet.

"Having home ice will be a major advantage for the US Ice Team," McNett explained. "But teams such as Ukraine and Russia, top winners in past WIFCs, will be tough to beat regardless of the location. We will have to be fishing in peak form to beat the world's best ice anglers."

After five days of pre-fishing on the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir, the WIFC X will determined over two days of ice-fishing over two heats on February 16-17. Teams will draw for their sectors and fish a three-hour heat. The combined weights for each team will determine overall rank and score, with the winning world championship team crowned on February 17. The official weigh-ins will be at the Plaza Hotel, where there will also be a trade show and the Cabela's Kids ice-fishing camp each day open for the public. Visit www.usaiceteam.com for full itinerary and details of the event.

The USF3 would like to thank the following sponsors that support the US Ice Team's efforts in competing at the WIFC X: Shark and American Fishing Contests, Cabela's, HT Enterprises, Humminbird, St. Croix Rods, G2 Gemini Custom Apparel, Kahtoola, Sunline, Marukyu, Gotcha Productions, Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, Strike Master Ice Augers, Aqua Vu and Universal Restoration Services.

To contact USA Ice Team Director Mike McNett, email him at otis_mcnett@hotmail.com or mike.mcnett@usf3.org. The USF3 is the governing body of international competitive angling for the United State. Its mission is to promote the sport of fishing among American anglers and to foster the best possible relationship between American anglers and our fellow international angling friends and competitors. Visit www.USF3.org or www.facebook.com/USAngling, for more information.

Freshwater fishing is one of the types of fishing that is ideal for beginning anglers since it can be enjoyed from shore or from land using a simple tackle set up. There are many types of fishing opportunities. There...
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